I’m sure a lot of you watched the Olympics, and enjoyed the tough competition, the incredible skills and the amazing stories of the athletes and their families. Personally, I love the “back stories” of the athletes – how they got to be where they are, the adversities they’ve overcome and the drive they have to compete with the best in the world. I even love the commercials – thanking Mom and the backwards ones, too! In a world of DVR’s and on-demand programming, I don’t watch too many commercials anymore, but these were fun.

I see The Olympic Spirit every day at Push to Walk. Our trainers are the coaches, our clients the athletes and the families supporting all of us. Working hard at their training every time they come in, staying focused on their goals, and keeping a positive outlook all contribute to their success. Getting their names on our blackboard provides some incentive for them to accomplish special things each and every time they are here.

Here’s to OUR Olympians – our CLIENTS – and all they do every day to improve their lives. We may not have any medals to distribute, but hopefully our encouragement and dedication to help them is proof of our commitment.

Here’s also a shout-out to NOLAN KASPER, our family friend and US Ski Team Olympian who finished 13th out of 117 skiers in the Sochi Men’s Slalom Event. He was also the ONLY American man to finish both runs of that event. Congratulations, Nolan!!

Yay, a day without snow! With record snowfalls in northern NJ this year, everyone I know is looking forward to spring. We all hate the shoveling, clearing our cars, and navigating through parking lots and sidewalks. But if you know someone who uses a wheelchair or has difficulty walking, what an added element of difficulty snow adds to a daily routine.

As I make my way carefully over slippery surfaces, up and over snowbanks, or around obstacles to get where I’m going, I think about everyone who relies on their wheelchairs for mobility or have difficulty with balance and taking smooth steps. HOW do you do it? From very narrow walkways to uncleared access ramps, snowed-in parking spaces to icy surfaces – it can be a nightmare, I am sure. And how do you clear off your car, or dig out after being plowed in?

Other than moving to a warmer climate, what are your solutions and tips for others who might be facing similar situations? I’d love to hear your ideas, and pass them along to others!

Until the next snowstorm (although I know the snow we already have will cause problems for months), stay safe!

There is a lot of love at Push to Walk every day, but it seems fitting to recognize it today. We love that our clients and their families put their trust in us to help in the journeys they are on after spinal cord injury, brain injury, transverse myelitis, Multiple Sclerosis, and stroke.

We love that our donors choose Push to Walk as a cause to support, knowing their dollars go directly to our program and helping our clients regain strength, function, and independence.

We love that so many people have contributed to our success by donating their time, talents, energy and material goods to make Push to Walk a successful, sustainable organization.

And personally, I love our entire Push to Walk team. Not only our staff members, volunteers and interns, but their families too. So many people who have taken an interest in what we do and how we do it. Our staff members who especially bring a passion and commitment to their jobs every day-I love you all!

So when we hear or say those three little words that are sometimes so hard to say, know that the meaning behind them is so much more…a testament to the fact that love really does make the world go round.